Dear TSJ Friends,
Have you ever been over-the-top grateful for a black eye? If so, I would love to hear 
your story; but while you are thinking about yours – in a couple of minutes I will tell you mine.
But first . . . guess who is sitting in your chair – the place where people sit when they visit our home and headquarters.
Also in spite of his peaceful nature, Solomon got a little worried last Saturday. He wants to listen to the story again. He likes stories.
You see, Mr. John and I left for a short walk on that sunny Saturday morning and were gone for hours. Solomon knows we like sunshine but knew something must have gone wrong when we did not return on schedule. And when we got back Ms. Margie had a big bump on her head which turned into a multicolored bruise.
Okay let’s start at the beginning of the story . . .
On that Saturday before Easter I had begun to experience a new awareness of the healing of troubled hearts that happens when we feel understood and wanted. I felt unusually light hearted and peaceful as a result.
During the previous week – holy week for us – I had spent time reading the stories of Jesus’ last days on earth. I realized more than ever Jesus profoundly knew what it was like to be known for what he did but not for who he truly was.
As we often feel in tough times, during his hour of facing suffering and death his friends let him down. They couldn’t help it. Like us in this time of crisis, they were puzzled, scared and exhausted. They truly did not understand who he really was and what was happening to him.
Who among us has not had that desperate longing to be known for who we are?
Also watching some old Cheers episodes lately and hearing the theme song along with pondering how much we all want to be known for who we are has inspired me to seek and share ways to be more present to myself and to others.
Do you remember the opening song to Cheers where people told their stories around the bar?
“Making your way in the world today
takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries
would sure help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?”
I know that is a strange pairing of an old TV show with a gospel story but both speak to a human longing to be known and wanted and have inspired me to come to God for that kind of relationship and learn from it. It seems to express a longing we all have.
I admit my own heart responded with a resounding, “Yes!”when I heard the following words again:
“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name
And they’re always glad you came
You want be where you can see
our troubles are all the same.”
(Gary Portnoy & Judy Hart Angelo)
Both the Cheers song and the scripture honesty brought me back to seeking God just to be with God. God does know my name, my mind, my heart and is always glad “I came.” The same for you too. I hope to remember this more often.
Now back to Saturday morning. The sunrise brought wall to wall sun into my little sanctuary where Solomon always waits with his peaceful smile. I had slept very well and awakened rested and energetic. I came to meet God in silence.
Easter was on its way! I was filled with scriptural reminders that – as writer Sarah Young said so well – God has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you; do not be discouraged.” (Deutronomy 31:18)
In her book Jesus Lives (p.164) she said and I wrote it in large letters in my journal: “Trust is a relational word.”
We have a relational God! And I had just renewed that relationship.
It was an amazingly quieting experience. Truthfully, I spend way too much time asking or begging God for this or that. Just sitting quietly in God’s Presence had brought me home to my own heart. It set the tone of my attitude for the day. I was peaceful and grateful.
John made a delicious breakfast and we had a delightful time of sharing. Then we started happily walking and planning our day on one of our favorite routes through the bird sanctuary trail behind our house to North Ponds Park and beyond. We walked up behind Wegmans and were just about to head south toward Main Street, Webster, NY when suddenly my right foot caught the edge of the sidewalk in a small dip in the grassy soil and set my body and head on a collision course with the concrete sidewalk.
Just like that! A perfect morning one moment and a bloody “face plant” the next! Yet another reminder that we are not in control all the time! And it was not the opposite of perfect. It was just real.
When my forehead landed on the concrete I swear I heard it c r a c k! In fact that sound echoed in my ears for a couple of days. While I was still down there I remember saying, “I have really done it now.” I did not dare to move. I was so sure I cracked open my skull I thought if I rolled over I might leave part of my head on the sidewalk.
Shortly John gently helped me roll onto my back and I lay there for three or four minutes. People came by and offered to help. But the virus! We did not want to put anyone at risk by getting too close and we did not yet know if I could get up. We assured them we had a cell phone. They moved on. But I suddenly could not find my phone.
I lay there brainstorming aloud while my quiet husband just put gentle pressure on the wounds and slowed down the bleeding.
Finally I rolled over on all fours (publicly showing my age and loss of agility!) and three great things happened: my cell phone was under me, I could stand up, and we were only about 100 yards from Urgent Care! All three of those things felt fortuitous and my spirits were as happy as when we started the walk. I was almost giddy with gratitude.
We slowly made it to Urgent Care and received excellent care. They allowed me to stay in the clinic room while John walked home for the car. They checked on me. They were empathic and kind. And I did not want to go to the ER if at all possible. The virus illness is both threatening and demanding of care givers.
The experience I had already had in the morning basking in the presence of God carried me through the day with joy.
Still as you might imagine, I have had a very sore head, have discovered parts of my body were jolted more than I first realized and that my black eye is less than becoming!
I admit I was thankful about not gathering publicly on Easter! I know what you might be thinking. But I didn’t have to get dressed up, try to cover it up or pretend to be happy. And Mr. John was by my side. We worshiped most of the day with online services!
Solomon heard the whole story and reminded me that being close to Urgent Care and only coming away with bumps and bruises was “Amazing Grace.” Ah yes. So it was. All made richer from meeting with the God who knows my name and is always glad when I come!
Solomon and I hope you join us on a journey to be more present to each other as God is Present to us.
Thank you so very much for your texts and emails and video chats.
Love.
Margie
“Silence, with no attempt to use God, use Truth, or use a power over anybody or for anybody, ….. In that quietness and confidence, we find our strength and peace. ” (Joel Goldsmith from The Thunder of Silence p192)